Business Cards
Promote yourself! Possibly the most important marketing and business tool you will ever use.
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Congratulations! Working for yourself is an exciting thing to do. Once you’ve done your research and made a business plan, it’s time to set things up and get them going. Read on for some helpful advice and information on how to make the best start to your new future.
Click on each item for more information.
1. Think up a name for your business
Make it unique and memorable.
It can be your own name (Bob Thompson Pty Ltd), it can be descriptive (LawnmowingWA) , or it can be non-specific (Splod).
If you are a small business you would be best off using a descriptive name to make it easier for clients to understand the business without too much explanation.
2. Is your domain name available?
Googling ‘domain name’ will list a huge number of businesses that can help you with this.
If it is available you should register it straight away, and consider also registering variants.
If your preferred domain name is not available you should consider a different business name. Yes, it is that important.
3. Register your business name
If your desired domain name is available, visit www.asic.gov.au/business-names to register and protect the name with the government.
4. Get your legal and compliance issues sorted
Make sure things are done properly. Have you thought about:
Here are a few useful websites to get you started:
5. You need a logo!
And not just a logo, you need a brand. A brand is a complete identity for your business of which the logo is just a part.
To get the best results you need to look at the research you made when planning to set up the business - who your clients are, what the competition is doing, what makes your business unique. Then talk to us and we will craft your brand and associated logo.
6. Trademark your logo
This helps to protect your business identity. www.ipaustralia.gov.au
7. Develop a marketing plan and set a marketing budget
With printed marketing, repetition is crucial. Setting up a marketing calendar in advance is better than trying to come up with marketing ideas while you're too busy running the business.
Work out who you want to communicate with and what you want to say and we will advise you on the best way to reach them.
Stuck for ideas? Talk to us!
8. Get things printed
Your business will need certain things printed, depending on what kind of business it is.
Pretty much everybody needs business cards. Having a business card properly designed will reap dividends.
You may need stationery such as letterheads or docket books.
You will need to market your business. Flyers and postcards are also remarkably effective at driving new and repeat business to your door.
9. Start trading and have fun!
So the long hours of dreaming and hard work have finally paid off and you are now your own boss? Congratulations!
The management and staff at Inkpot Printing and Design wish you all the best on your journey and hope it works out to be everything you hoped of.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if we can help you with any of your graphic design and printing needs in the future.
Would you like to know more? Talk to us!
We would be delighted to help you and your business achieve your goals through the medium of design and print. Please contact us to book an appointment.
If your preferred date and/or time is not available we will contact you to arrange a mutually convenient alternative slot.
Assuming you've had your logo and associated brand materials developed, it's time to talk printing.
No self-respecting business person should be without a well designed and printed business card. How your card looks will influence opinions about you and your business, so it is worth spending some time and effort to get the design right.
Letterheads and matching envelopes reinforce your brand identity. Forms can help your business run smoothly and efficiently. NCR (carbon-free) docket books are ideal for on-the-spot paperwork such as invoices and delivery dockets.
Spread the word and start to get traffic to your door by targeted marketing, bulk flyer printing, advertising, posters in high foot traffic areas and more.
Encourage repeat business by using incentive schemes such as discounts, loyalty rewards, referral bonuses, members-only sales and more. Gifts of useful items such as calendars and notepads keep your brand visible.
You may need signage suitable for use indoors and outside, including paper posters and vinyl banners, corflute, PVC or aluminium signs, portable signs such as A-Frames and roster signs, flags and more.
Please note: The information on this page was correct at the time of publishing and is provided "as is" with no warranty either stated or implied. If in any doubt you must consult a professional. E&OE.